Z Zoccolante, Author at Z Zoccolante

The Kryptonite Nail in my Tire.

While I’m crying, he calmly fixes my tire. Wait, that comes later . . . Today’s been chaotic on the highways of LA. I’ve spent longer driving to my meetings than the time we actually met. I haven’t written yet – because it’s highly unsafe while driving, and frowned upon during meetings. Within my car, there’s a general aura of stress and blahness. I have dinner plans with a friend but I’m running late...

When Lacking a Partner Turns your White Christmas Blue: How to Celebrate Instead of Hibernate

When I hear the word “winter,” I think of falling snow, of a quiet world bathed in white. I hear it crunch beneath my shoes as breath escapes my lips in whispers of smoke. Winter often symbolizes a temporary death, a pause, a hibernation period. On the opposite hand, Christmas, in certain belief systems, celebrates the birth of a baby, the beginning of a new life. While nature takes pause and celebrates death, we...

Stop Helping People: The Compassionate Truth About Suffering

Help it. It’s struggling. The little chick picks at the interior of the egg that holds it captive. Peck by peck it labors to push its body through the crack. Its wings flap, frantic and wobbly, exhausted with the first moments of life. Help it. It’s struggling. It would be so easy for us to simply peel away the thin exoskeleton that holds the little bird captive. The thin shell of an egg is all that separates it from...

Which Things to Let Slide: How A Sloppy Exterior May Indicate Internal Success

“I’m so disgusting how can you be friends with me.” One of my best friends asked me that one afternoon in college. She was half joking, and we both laughed, but years later there are moments when those words haunt my thoughts. This week I went to a friend’s house where a few of us had wine, mini cupcakes, and conversation. When I returned home, it was cold so I went to sleep in the same clothes removing only my shoes. For...

Why I Love Vampire Shows (No, It’s Not What you Think)

I hate to say it, but I got suckered in. Being someone who’s not fond of blood visuals and who disapproves of killing others, I didn’t think I’d be a fan. First off, no, I’ve never been one of the girls who swooned over Edward. If anything, my fascination lies with power. Enter Vampire Dairies and The Originals. Sure there’s built up drama and romance, and everybody living in their town is good looking, but I find myself...